A 20-year-old Rahway resident faces multiple weapons and carjacking charges after detectives linked him to a stolen vehicle and a shooting at a crowded Linden park.
Linden, NJ – A Rahway man has been arrested and charged in connection with a violent carjacking and a separate shooting that occurred in Linden last month, authorities announced. Ryan Billups, 20, was taken into custody following a month-long investigation into the incidents, which police say were connected through the use of a stolen vehicle.
Key Points
• Ryan Billups, 20, of Rahway was arrested in connection with a Linden carjacking and park shooting.
• Detectives allege a stolen vehicle taken during the carjacking was later used in the shooting.
• No injuries were reported in the shooting despite more than a dozen rounds being fired toward a crowd.
According to the Linden Police Department, Billups is charged with first-degree carjacking and conspiracy to commit carjacking, along with multiple weapons and aggravated assault offenses stemming from the two incidents.
Investigators allege that during the early morning hours of April 15, Billups and another masked suspect approached a vehicle in the 100 block of East Gibbons Street, ordered the driver out at gunpoint, and fled in the stolen vehicle.
Stolen vehicle allegedly used in park shooting
Detectives said the stolen vehicle was later connected to a shooting that occurred the same evening in the 1000 block of Summit Terrace.
Shortly before 9 p.m., authorities allege that Billups and another individual fired more than a dozen rounds toward a crowd gathered at a park. Despite the gunfire, no injuries were reported.
Billups faces two counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, three counts of third-degree aggravated assault, and one count of fourth-degree aggravated assault related to the shooting.
Month-long investigation leads to arrest
Police said detectives spent more than a month investigating the incidents before identifying Billups as a suspect in both cases.
He was arrested at his Rahway home on May 28 without incident and was remanded to the Essex County Jail pending a Superior Court appearance.
Linden Police Chief David Hart praised the work of investigators, describing the case as a complex and comprehensive investigation that required extensive follow-up and coordination.
Investigation remains active
Authorities have not announced any additional arrests, and investigators continue to pursue leads related to the second suspect.
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact Detective Ariel Franjul at 908-474-8538 or Detective Dan Hemenway at 908-474-8532.